Parade Marshal
For 2011


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Fay Vader, Parade Marshal 

Fay Phelps Vader illustrates the verve of rural families in the first part of the 20^th century: Following her February birth in the Gunnison hospital, she and her mother traveled, first by train to Iola and then by open sleigh, to the Phelps' Powderhorn home during a winter cold snap. It launched a lifetime of plucky experiences involving horses, ranching and even a little bit of show business.

She started working the hay fields at 11, hooking teams to wagons and mowing for hours at a time. In Fay's opinion, it was preferable to staying in the house, and "it was a sad day" when she first saw the neighbor bring a tractor into the field. But she adapted. At the age of 12, she had learned how to drive one and began haying for other ranchers.

By this time, Fay was no stranger to the saddle. She joined a drill team called the Helldorado Girls. Every night she rode her horse to town to meet other members for practice. Later, she became the "unofficial" first Cattlemen's Days Queen.  

Eventually, Faye decided to become a trick rider. Her father bought her a trick saddle and she used her haying wages to buy a new horse for $35 – a price she at first considered steep. "Velvet" turned out to be a bargain.

"I don’t think that little brown mare ever made a mistake," Fay said. She trusted the mare during all her stunts, and within a short time both horse and rider were performing at numerous local events.

 The daredevil stunts paid off in a manner Fay hadn't anticipated. At 17, she decided to visit a film shoot in Lake City of the 1950-movie "Cariboo Trail," starring Randolph Scott and Gabby Hayes. As she watched the filming, the director approached her and asked if she could ride a horse. Her reply of "pretty much" was enough to convince him. Fay then found herself racing horseback across the hills, doubling for actress Karin Booth.

Show biz again caught up with Fay a few years later when John Ford hired her for stunts in "The Searchers," starring John Wayne. Her role involved playing a squaw who had to jump her horse off ice into the cold Gunnison River. Ford required a good many shots of that scene, and by the time he was satisfied, Fay and her fellow stuntmen could barely warm themselves over open fires in the 20-below temperatures.

The casting never earned her film credits, but it did result in Hollywood asking her to consider a career as a stuntwoman (there were only two in California at that time). Fay turned the offer down.

"Making movies was boring," She said. "It's all 'hurry up and wait.'"

She opted instead to marry Harry Vader and start a family on their ranch east of Gunnison. Fay spent most of her time in the saddle, tending her own operation and riding for other ranchers, primarily in Taylor Canyon. Additionally, she served as a 4-H leader and sponsored the high school Rodeo Club for many years.

Today Fay continues to own horses and ride in the high country. A few short years ago, she rode in a barrel racing competition. Her astonishing vitality and enthusiasm is an inspiration to all who know her.